Here's an interesting promotional tape for the MAAST (Multiple Audio Addressable Secure Television) system by Telease. This was meant for pay-TV channels for cable and satellite television in the U.S. and around the world.

We start off with a look of the push-button app of MAAST, juxtaposed with clips of the first "Star Wars" movie, switching between English and other languages.

Then a credit roll about FCC (and other countries') rules and regulations about scrambling TV transmissions, multiple audio and other purposes, how this system is meant for countries "requiring special authority for specific services," and how it's covered by "proprietary technology" patents held by Telease. (and its engineering subsidiary Telease Technology) (music during this segment is "Get It Right Next Time" by Gerry Rafferty)

Host Lee Rothman introduces Telease president and chairman Robert Block who explains the background of political and technological changes in the prior decade that opened an opportunity for his company, and how TV - and willingness of subscribers to pay for TV programs - is the key to this. A brief shot of the Apple II computer at work, and clips of library shelves, stadium exteriors, concert halls and TV transmitters are shown to bring home the point, and how MAAST is meant to be compatible with existing worldwide broadcast standards. (also includes a quick shot of "RVS - Cablevision - Cable Television Wauwatosa Studios")

The MAAST features include: Multiple Audio, Addressable Control Eligibility (ACE), Security, Touch Pad All Channel Tuner, Subscriber Rating Category Control, Computer/Printer Facsimile Operation (soon to be known as "fax"), Transmitter Control Switch, Installation Test, Reliability, Upgradeable, Compatible (NTSC and PAL - what, no SECAM?) and Economical with explanations of each.

A demonstration of TV sets in non-MAAST homes vs. MAAST homes, and how it could be used in the home, is then shown; the possibility of multiple screens at once, one audio channel transmitting faxes (with a Qwip Two machine being shown in operation) either related to programming or not.

Next, the LAD system, hooked up to teletypes (remember those?) and other printing systems, is demonstrated, as is MAAST's compatibility with business and home computer systems (the latter of which, in those days, was Apple).

The back of MAAST, with five audio jacks and pertinent video in/outs (including one for transmitter), is shown and explained - and with TV about to become stereo, the ability to hook up to a home hi-fi system, and to impact energy-using appliances in homes.

We next get to the specifics of ACE (with different tiers and "eligibility groups"), category control for subscribers, the security feature (with the issue of video piracy brought up), examples of upgrade options (with teletext and view data services), and compatibility of differing transmission systems. Oh, and its price is compatible with competing non-secure operating systems.

Telease's computer-based operating systems are also plugged and described, and how it ties in to MAAST - all on an HP 3000 (Hewlett-Packard, I presume), IBM 4331, or other pertinent systems.

To close, Bob brings up statistics of U.S. TV homes' spending habits on subscriber TV in October 1980, and projecting to December 1981 and beyond, with a mention of videodiscs and home video. Various film titles and movie studio logos are shown to help accompany his descriptions and predictions. (most of an early SelecTV ID/promo (sans audio) is shown starting at about 19:40 - logo is cut off a bit early though)

Telease's address and phone number are then shown for interested governments and corporations.

Ending credits:

Produced & Directed for Telease Inc. by Thomas A. Tomczak
At the Production Facilities of WCGV-Television 24, Milwaukee

"TV sets will become extensions of our theatres, arenas and our concert halls. A renaissance of the performing arts will be funded with pay-TV revenues."

This did not air anywhere, but was recorded on September 18th 1980.

About The Museum of Classic Chicago Television:

The Museum of Classic Chicago Television's primary mission is the preservation and display of off-air, early home videotape recordings (70s and early 80s, primarily) recorded off of any and all Chicago TV channels (or other cities occasionally); footage which would likely be lost if not sought out and preserved digitally. Even though (mostly) short clips are displayed here, we preserve the entire broadcasts in our archives - the complete programs with breaks (or however much is present on the tape), for historical preservation. For information on how to help in our mission, to donate or lend tapes to be converted to DVD, and to view more of the 4,700+ (and counting) video clips available for viewing in our online archive, please visit us at:
http://www.fuzzymemories.tv/index.php?contentload=donate

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